Police seek suspect in robberies and attempted abduction

Police in Easton, Forks Township and New Jersey are looking for a man they believe may be involved in numerous robberies and the attempted abduction of a Lafayette College student.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Duane T. Connelly, 39, whose last known address was in Phillipsburg, N.J., said Forks police Detective Jim Rowden. Connelly is charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

Connelly was identified as a possible suspect through a photo lineup shown to a woman who was robbed around 1 a.m. Saturday in Forks.

Police believe Connelly may also be involved in several other robberies in Easton, said city police Inspector Matthew Gerould.

Connelly may travel between Phillipsburg and Easton, authorities said. He is white, about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has short brownish-blond hair and an unshaven face.

Police believe Connelly may be connected to the following crimes:

•An attempted robbery and abduction on Sept. 26 on the Lafayette campus. Police said a man armed with a gun and knife assaulted a student and tried to force her into the trunk of his car. Police said it happened around 1:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Watson Courts dormitory.

•Two robberies in Easton where women had their purses stolen. Police said one robbery happened around 1 p.m. Saturday at 14th and Butler streets. The second happened around 2:50 p.m. Sunday in a parking lot in the 200 block of Line Street.

•Connelly may also have committed a burglary around 1 a.m. Saturday in Forks, police said. A woman said as she drove down Sullivan Trail, she was closely followed from behind by another car. When she pulled into a parking lot, she said the car stopped behind her and a man got out.

The woman's passenger side window was open and the man told her the car's taillight was out and she may be getting a flat tire. Police said the woman remained inside the car, but the man reached in an open vehicle window and took her purse and fled.

Anyone who spots Connelly should call 911. Police said anyone with information on his whereabouts may call Easton police at 610-250-6780.